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"No sooner almost is a design formed, or the hint of a subject started, than all the ideas which are requisite for compleating it, rush into his view as if they were conjured up by the force of magic."

— Gerard, Alexander (1728-1795)

Author

An Essay on Genius

Place of Publication

London and Edinburgh

Publisher

Printed for W. Strahan, T.Cadell, and W. Creech

Date

1774

Metaphor

"No sooner almost is a design formed, or the hint of a subject started, than all the ideas which are requisite for compleating it, rush into his view as if they were conjured up by the force of magic."

Metaphor in Context

Genius implies such comprehensiveness of imagination as enables a man, on every occasion, to call in the conceptions that are necessary for executing the designs or compleating the works in which he engages. This takes place, when the associating principles are strong, and fit for acting in an extensive sphere. If they be weak, they will call in memory to their aid. Unable to guide our steps in an unknown country, they keep in the roads to which we have been accustomed; and are directed in suggesting ideas, by the connexions which we remember. Every production of a man who labours under this debility of mind, bears evident marks of barrenness, a quality more opposite to true genius than any other. Nothing appears in it uncommon or new; every thing is trite and unoriginal. Or, if he attempts to quit the beaten path, and start new game, he can find out but a few ideas, he is exhausted by a short excursion, and must either make a stop, or return to the tracks of memory. Industry endeavouring, in this manner, to supply the want of a copious imagination, by accurate remembrance or diligent observation, will produce, instead of a philosopher, a devoted follower, or a dull laborious commentator; instead of a poet, a servile imitator, or a painful translator. But when the associating principles are vigorous, imagination, conscious as it were of its own strength, sallies forth, without needing support or asking assistance, into regions hitherto unexplored, and penetrates into their remotest corners, unfatigued with the length of the way. In a man of genius, the power of association is so great, that when any idea is present to his mind, it immediately leads him to the conception of those that are connected with it. No sooner almost is a design formed, or the hint of a subject started, than all the ideas which are requisite for compleating it, rush into his view as if they were conjured up by the force of magic. His daring imagination traverses all nature, and collects materials fit for his purpose, from all the most distant corners of the universe; and presents them at the very instant when they become useful or necessary. In consequence of this, he takes in a comprehensive view of every subject to which his genius is adapted.
(I.iii, pp. 42-3)